Howdy!!
If you can't already tell, I'm elated from my latest news from my orthopedic surgeon. I saw him first thing this morning. He poked and proded, had me do some bending and stretching and was able to see a big difference since my last appt three weeks prior.
Good news is he does NOT want to operate. English translation.... NO SURGERY!!!!!!
I am over the moon excited because I was so deathly afraid of the long recovery process with a TWO YEAR OLD! I'm so thankful and so happy. His best advice that I took oh so seriously, he wants me to strengthen the muscles in my back that will help keep my L5 vertibrae still and shifting anymore. He recommended for me to join a gym and start off slow and work myself up. He wants me to stay active. (as if chasing a two year old daily isn't enough?) So I'm so thankful because I've been wanting to join a gym anyway, but now the doctor is ordering me to do so! YES!!!! Guess hubs can't say anything about that monthly expense. Haha! Even better, I'll be able to drop some weight and be even stronger because of it. With that said, I need a workout buddy. My Round Rock friends, who has a membership to Gold's Gym at Hester's Crossing and would like to be my workout buddy. It would have to be after 5:30pm as my husband works full time and I'd have to go after he gets home. (Not only to watch Hayden but so I have a vehicle)
Jon also saw my same surgeon as his knees have been acting up. (yes, plural) His left knee he had reconstructive surgery in 1987 (yes he's that old) and has been aching more than usual wear and tear. After a few x-rays, the doctor told Jon that he's got "very little cartilidge" left in his right knee. (his good knee) So he's looking at more surgery in the future, probably in the next few years. Ick!!
All in all.. we have our health to be thankful for and the blessing that we recieved in finding out I don't need surgery!!! YEA!!!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
A royal pain in the...
As most of you know, I've been experiencing serious back pain for the past several months. I finally had enough. I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon at Seton Northwest. He got me in right away (they normally are booked for months). Upon my arrival for my appt, paperwork filled out, the nurse takes me to a private room to change into some goofy looking plastic-ish shorts and takes me on what I call the "walk of shame" to the X-ray rooms. Of course I'm passing all the attractive younger doctors and staff... looking my absolute worst.
A few quick x-rays of my lower back and I'm back through the halls for my second "walk of shame." Thankfully the surgeon comes in with my x-rays rather quickly because those shorts were uncomfortable to say the least. *chuckle*
He asked me if I had had any prior accidents or back injuries. I told him no. He asked if back degeneration ran in my family. I said "Not that I know of." (little did I know, yesterday my Granny told me she had the EXACT same thing wrong with her back and she had the surgery. Apparently it runs in our family....crap!) Then he showed me my x-ray....
He explained that my L5 vertibrae had shifted forward by approximately half an inch. As he saw the stunned look on my face and the color quickly turning pale, he reassured me that he wants me to start aggressive physical therapy three times a week for three weeks. *insert a big fat YA RIGHT with a two year old* And alternating muscle relaxers, pain meds and an anti-inflamitory to help relieve some of the pressure on my spine. He also suggested, politely that I lose a "few lbs." He was such a sweet guy. He also assured me that he was a very conservative surgeon. I explained to him that my husband had his L4 and L5 fused roughly 20 years ago and I didn't want to go that route. He said that yes fusing my L5 would be a "cure all" but would not eliminate my pain. *sigh* So I'm trying to find a physical therapist that won't drain my bank account and my insurance will pick up majority if not all of the cost. So if you know anyone that is a physical therapist, you know how to get ahold of me.
The meds are helping some. Some days are better than others. Yesterday was a really bad day. I guess because Saturday we spent alot of time in the sun and I was doing alot more physical activity than normal. Then again we spent some time in a pool too so that was refreshing and helped my back in more ways than one.
Here's hoping I can find a PT and it helps in the long run....
A few quick x-rays of my lower back and I'm back through the halls for my second "walk of shame." Thankfully the surgeon comes in with my x-rays rather quickly because those shorts were uncomfortable to say the least. *chuckle*
He asked me if I had had any prior accidents or back injuries. I told him no. He asked if back degeneration ran in my family. I said "Not that I know of." (little did I know, yesterday my Granny told me she had the EXACT same thing wrong with her back and she had the surgery. Apparently it runs in our family....crap!) Then he showed me my x-ray....
He explained that my L5 vertibrae had shifted forward by approximately half an inch. As he saw the stunned look on my face and the color quickly turning pale, he reassured me that he wants me to start aggressive physical therapy three times a week for three weeks. *insert a big fat YA RIGHT with a two year old* And alternating muscle relaxers, pain meds and an anti-inflamitory to help relieve some of the pressure on my spine. He also suggested, politely that I lose a "few lbs." He was such a sweet guy. He also assured me that he was a very conservative surgeon. I explained to him that my husband had his L4 and L5 fused roughly 20 years ago and I didn't want to go that route. He said that yes fusing my L5 would be a "cure all" but would not eliminate my pain. *sigh* So I'm trying to find a physical therapist that won't drain my bank account and my insurance will pick up majority if not all of the cost. So if you know anyone that is a physical therapist, you know how to get ahold of me.
The meds are helping some. Some days are better than others. Yesterday was a really bad day. I guess because Saturday we spent alot of time in the sun and I was doing alot more physical activity than normal. Then again we spent some time in a pool too so that was refreshing and helped my back in more ways than one.
Here's hoping I can find a PT and it helps in the long run....
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Moving and such!
It’s no secret we’ve spent the past week moving. With the stress of moving on a very small budget, we were fortunate enough that one of Jon’s friend’s from work was gracious enough to help us with the large things. Thankfully his three boys were eager to help as well. We wouldn’t have survived this move if it hadn’t been for those four boys. Of course, Texas is true to its hot nature, as it ranged between 102 and 105 degrees during the entire move. An overweight and out of shape Kristen made for a very grumpy and less than amused momma for four days. We started moving smaller things on Thursday between Jon and me with Hayden stumbling under our feet the entire time. Friday morning is a complete blur, as it was the hottest out of the four days we were hauling crap back and forth. Friday was also the day our gas service was supposed to be turned on at the new residence. Unfortunately this would be our luck that we would miss the “gas man” from Atmos in between trips back and forth. Saturday morning came just as quick. First item of business was to call and reschedule with the gas company to have someone come back out and turn on our gas. As our luck continues to go south, the representative told me that it wouldn’t be until Tuesday morning to dispatch a technician out to turn on our gas. Are you kidding me?!?!! *insert me cussing under my breath for the weekend and Monday’s holiday* so she was kind enough to give us the first appointment of the day for Tuesday morning. Back to moving all our crap. Sunday we finished moving everything and started the daunting process of unpacking everything in the new house. Monday we spent almost the entire day recovering and relaxing. Now I’ve been pretty sore after a good workout before but nothing to this extreme. Wowzers!!! I’m thankful Jon and I were both off from work all this time as we had no gas which meant no hot water which meant ice cold baths for us. Some continue to ask me, “Why didn’t you boil water?” Obvious answer, “Well considering we had no gas and we have a gas range, this would prove to be difficult!” Of course on the final two nights of no gas and no hot water, we got smart and “nuked” some water in the microwave. Just enough to take semi-luke-warm sponge/washcloth baths. Let’s just say Hayden still avoids bath time, even now that we have gas and nice hot water. LOL Poor guy is probably going to be traumatized from the frigid cold water of the bathtub. Now that we’re all settled in, boxes are unpacked – with the exception of a few in Hayden’s room storing useless toys he never plays with, it’s time I add my touch and make it a home.
On a super awesome note, this move helped me shed 10lbs. After seeing that number drop, it made me stop and think and research what I’m putting into my body as far as foods. I was flipping through a magazine (March 2010 issue of Parenting: Early Years) that I had stashed away for some strange reason. After reading it cover to cover twice, I’m glad I saved it because it has several articles and helpful tidbits of information that will be helpful and very beneficial to me. The article on page 94 “Absolutely happy!” really caught my attention. Especially the part on page 97 about the 4 SNEAKY WAIST INFLATORS. Wow! Looking back to my last series of labs my endocrinologist did, she told me my Cortisol was elevated. Not only does stress increase Cortisol, but so does lack of whole wheat. This would explain it!!! I’ve been under heavy stress with this move and financial woes. But also because I rarely eat whole grains. I had a big “ahh ha!!” moment. Also I’m vitamin D deficient so that also has a factor in my excessive weight gain along with the elevated Cortisol and stress. Bingo! I think my endocrinologist was under the influence of heavy narcotics or something when she diagnosed me with PCOS because I honestly don’t think that has anything to do with what’s wrong with me. It’s all stress and diet related. Why the crap didn’t I catch onto this sooner? With this said, I’m making some modifications and changes in my daily diet that not only will I benefit from greatly, but so will my family.
So see folks, it’s not always a bad thing to hang onto old magazines and be a packrat like I am. Just don’t become a hoarder!! LOL
Jon starts training the person that will take his position at the Hub, tomorrow. Then he’ll start MIT when he’s finished training that individual. After three months of MIT, hopefully a store will open up at a location he wants closer to home and he’ll take that store and become the store manager. It’s exciting because Jon so deserves this huge promotion. He’s never late to work, he’s never called in, never missed a single day out of the 57 days Hayden was hospitalized as a baby, he’s very dedicated to his job and often calls to check on how things are going on his days off and/or vacation. AutoZone is very fortunate to have him as an employee.
I know some of you have asked for our new address. I’m not going to post it here because this is a public blog. But I will send out a mass email and message on fb to make it easier for everyone. I still can’t believe its June 1st already. Halfway through 2011, just means we’re that much closer to Christmas. Eeek!!
Well that’s all I’ve got as far as an “update” for now. We’re without internet service, cable, and direct tv until we can get service setup and/or transferred so for now I’m biting my nails anxious until I have internet service again. If you need to get a hold of me, you can call or txt me on Jon’s cell which is with me while he’s at work in case there is any kind of emergency. (361-655-1714)
XOXO Love y’all!
On a super awesome note, this move helped me shed 10lbs. After seeing that number drop, it made me stop and think and research what I’m putting into my body as far as foods. I was flipping through a magazine (March 2010 issue of Parenting: Early Years) that I had stashed away for some strange reason. After reading it cover to cover twice, I’m glad I saved it because it has several articles and helpful tidbits of information that will be helpful and very beneficial to me. The article on page 94 “Absolutely happy!” really caught my attention. Especially the part on page 97 about the 4 SNEAKY WAIST INFLATORS. Wow! Looking back to my last series of labs my endocrinologist did, she told me my Cortisol was elevated. Not only does stress increase Cortisol, but so does lack of whole wheat. This would explain it!!! I’ve been under heavy stress with this move and financial woes. But also because I rarely eat whole grains. I had a big “ahh ha!!” moment. Also I’m vitamin D deficient so that also has a factor in my excessive weight gain along with the elevated Cortisol and stress. Bingo! I think my endocrinologist was under the influence of heavy narcotics or something when she diagnosed me with PCOS because I honestly don’t think that has anything to do with what’s wrong with me. It’s all stress and diet related. Why the crap didn’t I catch onto this sooner? With this said, I’m making some modifications and changes in my daily diet that not only will I benefit from greatly, but so will my family.
So see folks, it’s not always a bad thing to hang onto old magazines and be a packrat like I am. Just don’t become a hoarder!! LOL
Jon starts training the person that will take his position at the Hub, tomorrow. Then he’ll start MIT when he’s finished training that individual. After three months of MIT, hopefully a store will open up at a location he wants closer to home and he’ll take that store and become the store manager. It’s exciting because Jon so deserves this huge promotion. He’s never late to work, he’s never called in, never missed a single day out of the 57 days Hayden was hospitalized as a baby, he’s very dedicated to his job and often calls to check on how things are going on his days off and/or vacation. AutoZone is very fortunate to have him as an employee.
I know some of you have asked for our new address. I’m not going to post it here because this is a public blog. But I will send out a mass email and message on fb to make it easier for everyone. I still can’t believe its June 1st already. Halfway through 2011, just means we’re that much closer to Christmas. Eeek!!
Well that’s all I’ve got as far as an “update” for now. We’re without internet service, cable, and direct tv until we can get service setup and/or transferred so for now I’m biting my nails anxious until I have internet service again. If you need to get a hold of me, you can call or txt me on Jon’s cell which is with me while he’s at work in case there is any kind of emergency. (361-655-1714)
XOXO Love y’all!
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